Summary
Introduction:
This text summarizes a research study on the effects of repeated exposure to ThC (the main psychoactive compound in cannabis) on adolescent rats. The study used an e-cigarette based method to administer ThC and measured the physiological responses and tolerance to ThC in both male and female rats.
Key Points:
* The study found that repeated exposure to ThC using an e-cigarette based method produced hypothermia in adolescent rats and tolerance with repeated exposure.
* The tolerance was dose-specific and lasted past the chronic regimen in both male and female rats.
* The study found that female rats were more sensitive to the acute development of tolerance at a similar exposure to ThC.
* The study found no apparent effects of adolescent ThC exposure on the intravenous self-administration of oxycodone in either male or female rats.
* The study found that female rats self-administered more fentanyl in a dose substitution experiment under an FR procedure.
* The study found that there were sex differences in acquisition and the FR dose effect in oxycodone self-administration.
* The study found that feeding behavior was altered by repeated ThC as the males consumed more food in 6-hr focal feeding sessions compared with the PG control group.
Main Message:
The study demonstrates the effectiveness of an e-cigarette based method for administering ThC to adolescent rats and provides insight into the development of tolerance and sex differences in the acute and chronic effects of ThC exposure. additionally, the study highlights the potential for adolescent ThC exposure to affect opioid self-administration and feeding behavior. These findings may have implications for the understanding of the effects of cannabis use in adolescents.
Citation
Nguyen JD, Creehan KM, Kerr TM, Taffe Ma. Lasting effects of repeated ∆9 -tetrahydrocannabinol vapour inhalation during adolescence in male and female rats. British journal of pharmacology. 2020;177(1):188-203. doi:10.1111/bph.14856
